2015 Comrades Marathon Route Distance Confirmed

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has announced the final race distance for the 90th Comrades Marathon. CMA Race Director, Rowyn James has confirmed that the route measurement has been finalised and the official distance is 87,72km, making it one of the longer Up-Runs in recent history. 

James has explained that due to the GO!Durban Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network road-works in Josiah Gumede Road (Old Main Road), Pinetown, the route has deviated slightly for Comrades race day. The CMA took the decision in accordance with its strict protocols on runner safety. The deviation occurs between the 69km – 67km to go Bonitas Kilometre marker boards and means an extra 877 meters has been added onto the same route as the 2013 Up-Run. 

James continues, 'The construction in Pinetown does not adversely affect the route or the race and everything has been done by ourselves and the Municipality to minimise the impact on the event.' 

Runners coming down Cowies Hill into Josiah Gumede Road (Old Main Road) in Pinetown will turn left into Beviss Road just beyond the SAPS Building, then right into Bamboo Lane, cross over St. Johns Avenue and then turn right into School Road, cross over Josiah Gumede Road, and turn left into Kings Road crossing over Crompton Street and Glenugie Road before turning left into Anderson Road and then right back into Josiah Gumede Road to resume with the existing route towards Fields Hill.

James has stressed that Pinetown is the only place where the route deviation will occur. The remainder of the 87.72km route will stay the same as per the up-runs of the recent past.

James concludes, 'The CMA has worked closely with our provincial athletics federation, KwaZulu-Natal Athletics in terms of route measurement and the deviation; and will continue to do so with regard to other related contingencies. We look forward to an amazing race day for our runners and supporters alike.'

James has advised that the following cut-off times will be in place at various points along the route and that runners need to factor this into their overall race day plan.

ROUTE AREA/LANDMARK	DISTANCE DONE	APPROX. DISTANCE TO GO	RUNNING TIME/TIME OF DAY
Cowies Hill	17km	70km	2: 40:00 (08h10)
Winston Park	30km	57km	4:30:00 (10h00)
Drummond (Halfway)	43km	44km	6:00:00 (11h30)
N3 Subway – Cato Ridge	57km	30km	8:00:00 (13H30)
Umlaas Road Interchange	67km	20km	9:30:00 (15h00)
Top of Polly Shortts	79km	8km	11:10:00 (16h40)

The new cut-off introduced is at the base of Cowies Hill – corner of Josiah Gumede Rd (Old Main Road) and Otto Volek Road intersection (opposite Sandy Shopping Centre).

Fly direct Johannesburg to New york

NEW YORK, NY - South African Airways' (SAA), the national flag carrier of South Africa and Africa's most awarded airline, has resumed nonstop service on its daily flight from Johannesburg to New York-John F. Kennedy International Airport, effective March 7, 2015. While SAA's daily flight from New York-JFK to Johannesburg has operated on a nonstop basis for several years, the return flight was making a 1-hour enroute stop in Dakar, Senegal, during the low season winter months.

Due to the popularity of this route, SAA's service between New York and Johannesburg will, once again, operate nonstop in both directions on a year-round basis. The resumption of the nonstop service on the northbound flight from Johannesburg to New York-JFK reduces the overall travel time on the route by nearly 90 minutes, making it the fastest way to travel from South Africa to New York.

The nonstop flights in each direction are timed conveniently to connect in Johannesburg with SAA's extensive route network in Southern Africa of over 55 destinations and in New York with flights to over 35 cities in the U.S. and Canada through our code share partners JetBlue Airways, United Airlines and Air Canada.

SAA's flights between New York-JFK and Johannesburg are operated on the state-of-the-art wide-body Airbus A340-600 aircraft, featuring 42 full-flat 180° beds in Premium Business Class and 275 seats in Economy Class, ergonomically designed with adjustable headrests and industry-leading legroom of up to 34" for long-haul travel. Customers traveling in both Premium Business Class and Economy Class enjoy an extensive menu of on-demand audio and visual entertainment options, freshly prepared meals and complimentary bar service featuring award-winning South African wines.

Having served the U.S. for more than 45 years, South African Airways offers the most daily flights linking the U.S. and South Africa with 28 weekly departures, including service between New York-JFK & Washington, DC-Dulles and Johannesburg.

 

Gibela Travellers Lodge Swimming pool

Some photos of our pool area and the adjacent chill area we use for serving brakfast